Protestors are continuing a march across Massachusetts following the route of a proposed natural gas pipeline. About 100 people started the march Sunday in Richmond.
Roughly 30 people gathered in downtown Pittsfield Monday morning, with about a dozen biking 20 miles round trip to Windsor carrying a ceremonial baton designed to look like a piece of pipeline. Cheryl Rose organized the bike ride. She says the state should not be investing in a project that would carry fracked gas from New York to Dracut, Massachusetts.
“This pipeline has the potential to do such damage to our local environment, but also to the global climate,” said Rose.
The 250-mile Kinder Morgan project would be partially paid for by an electricity ratepayer increase supported by the six New England governors. The group plans to deliver a petition to Governor Deval Patrick in Boston on July 30th asking him to stop the rate increase.
Patrick says he will address the group’s petition if it is delivered. The Democrat noted the state’s progress in ending its reliance on hydrocarbons.
“Natural gas has a role to play in my view in helping us get there,” Patrick said. “Whether that means we say yes to this pipeline project or some other is part of what the process is about. I’m glad that so many people are involved.”
The proposal is in response to increasing demand for natural gas laid out by the six New England governors. Construction wouldn’t start until 2017. Patrick is not seeking a third term this November.
